Birmingham City midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld celebrates goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town at St Andrews, Birmingham, England on 23 January 2016. Photo by Alan Franklin.

Birmingham City midfielder open to Eredivisie return one day

Birmingham City midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld celebrates goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town at St Andrews, Birmingham, England on 23 January 2016. Photo by Alan Franklin.

Birmingham City midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld wants to return to Holland before the end of his career, according to Dutch news outlet Voetbal International.

The 28-year-old still has two years left on his current contract at St Andrews and has the option for an extra year as well, meaning his future for the time being lies in Birmingham.

Kieftenbeld hasn’t ruled out returning to his native Holland before he hangs up his boots. He has said, “I will go back to the Netherlands soon. Living again in a familiar environment. But that may well take a few more years”.

The central midfielder has become an integral part of the way the Blues play under Garry Monk and has been a regular for them this season in the Championship.

Kieftenbeld moved to Birmingham in July 2015 for a fee of just €250,000 and has turned out to be a great acquisition for them. He has since played 141 times for the Midlands club, chipping in with five goals.

Prior to his move to England, Kieftenbeld had been on the books as a youngster at FC Twente before going onto have spells at Go Ahead Eagles and FC Groningen. He won the KNVB Cup with Groningen in 2015.

It was reported in August 2017 that he had signed for Derby County on a two-year deal. However, the league refused to sanction the transfer because the documentation hadn’t been submitted in time, so Kieftenbeld remained a Birmingham player.

He now appears to be staying with Monk’s side until the expiry of his contract, with a move back to Holland on the cards for him a few years down the line from now.